Table Tennis Champ on Top of His Game at 91

July 11th, 2013

From an article by Pam Kragen

Growing up in Detroit during the Depression, Si Wasserman was so poor that the only sporting equipment he owned was an old football stuffed with newspapers.

Then one day the 12-year-old orphan walked into a local recreation center and became transfixed by the sight of two men batting a small plastic ball back and forth across a table with wooden paddles. It was the beginning a lifetime love affair with table tennis.

Last week, the 91-year-old Wasserman, now an Oceanside resident, clinched his first-ever grand slam by winning the last of four major national and international table tennis championships for his age group.

The victory took place July 2-6 at the U.S. Open Table Tennis Championships in Las Vegas, where he was the oldest competitor out of more than 1,000 players from 26 countries. To win his title in the 85-and-older bracket, he beat Berta Speisman of Laguna Woods in three games straight.

“She’s a young 86, and she plays a good game, but I’m a little stronger,” he said of the 11-3, 11-7, 11-8 victory.

“He’s the king,” said player Shelley Hardy of Carlsbad. “He’s the top person we honor and respect, and he’s a consummate gentleman.”

Read the full article on UTSanDiego

Marty Reisman, 82, a Wizard of Table Tennis, Dies

December 8th, 2012
Marty's Picture
 Marty Reisman, a wizard at table tennis, the sport in which he captured national championships, won and lost fortunes on wagers and moved crowds to laughter — sometimes using a frying pan as a paddle — as an opening act for the Harlem Globetrotters, died Friday in Manhattan. He was 82.
 
The death was announced by Table Tennis Nation, an organization he founded two years ago to make his sport even more fun. Cooper Fallek, its chief operating officer, said the cause was complications of heart and lung ailments.
 
Read the original article by the New York Times by clicking here.

2012 Senior Olympics Results

October 18th, 2012
  Check out the results from the Senior Olympics by clicking here! In case you missed it, here are some pictures provided by Borko:

2012 Henderson Senior Games

February 28th, 2012
2012 Henderson Senior Games LogoThe Henderson Senior Games is a competitive and social event open to anyone ages 50+. This event combines sports and games with entertainment and camaraderie. Events are selected by interest and include all aspects of friendly competition. For more information, visit the website by clicking here. Instructions: Henderson Games Entry Form Instructions Entry Form: 2012 Henderson Senior Games Registration Form Special Discount: Sunset Station Room Info for Table Tennis

“Memories” by Brana Vlašić

January 29th, 2012
Our club lost an irreplaceable leader last year. The list of Mr. Neil Smyth’s achievements is endless. From attending Yale University and being a member of the U.S. Navy, to being a Vice-President of the Las Vegas hotel Caesars Palace, he left an impact on a lot of people. Next to all this, he was a great family man.  He may not be with us anymore, but the footprint he left on our lives is too big to be ignored. It was a fall day when Mr. Neil approached and welcomed me to the San Diego Table Tennis Club. I don’t remember the details, but the truth is that very often we forget the first encounter with those we end up being close with. I have never seen someone of that age being so good and active in our sport. He said that table tennis is the only sport where he can still beat those younger and faster than him. He had a strange way of holding the paddle, and managed to keep it that way even though many suggested that he should change it. His serves seemed simple, but a lot of people had trouble returning them. He loved playing doubles. After a won point, he would celebrate quietly, without provoking his opponent. At the end of a won match he would just say victoriously: “That’s it!” Every won match was important to him. He would talk about these victories with people close to him, and after them he would go home satisfied. On the other hand, we knew that even if he lost, Mr. Neil would be rushing back to Balboa Park the next day ready to challenge some other people.
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Brana Vlašić January, 2012

The Passing of Neil Smyth

November 2nd, 2011
We regret to inform you that our dear friend and club member Neil Cornelius Smyth passed away last night around midnight on November 1st, 2011. More details will be posted here when they become available.  (You may click on the photo to enlarge it.) Click here to view Neil’s USATT Hall of Fame induction article. There will be a service on Monday in San Diego, and another later in the week in Las Vegas. This link contains the information, and a guest book to sign: Neil’s Guestbook & Funeral Service Info (Info from Carl Danner)

Huntsman World Senior Games Results

October 9th, 2011
Hi All: Well, it’s all over. Christian Lillieroos won Silver losing to Francisco Mendez in the Gold Medal match for over 2000 rated event. I lost the Bronze Medal match to Karl Assenmacher in the over 2000 rated event. Ray Fahlstrom and I lost our Gold Medal match to win Silver to Gayle Weikert and Shi Lin. We didn’t play well at all. Ray won Silver in his Mixed Doubles match age 75-79. I won Gold in the Mixed Doubles age 70-74 with my partner Joanne Tessler. See you all at the club. Best regards, Mark   Summary Silver medal in Over 2000 – Christian Lillieroos Silver in Men’s Doubles – Age 70-74 – Mark Adelman & Ray Fahlstrom Gold in Mixed Doubles – Age 70-74 – Mark Adelman Silver in Mixed Doubles – Age 75-79 – Ray Fahlstrom